Crafters!
Just finished a long, but fun Crafters weekend at the Olympic Centre. I still have a few monkeys leftover...I plan to bring a few of them over to Love, Me this week. I'll let you know when they're there.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Sunday, December 05, 2010 0 comments
Halifax Crafters Spring Fling Recap
It was another busy weekend with the Halifax Crafters. The show looked great. It just keeps getting better.
I think I've learned my lesson the hard way: your weekend will be so much better if you actually get some sleep. I pulled an all-nighter on Friday and was exhausted on Saturday. On the upside - I had to stand at my table (which I prefer to do anyway), because whenever I tried to sit, I'd fall asleep. Oops.
Despite being exhausted, it was a good weekend. I like getting to hang out with the awesome Crafters and it's always fun to get to know the person at the table next to you - because otherwise, I find myself drawing a blank when I see them without their work in front of them. A roundup of my awesome show neighbours over the years: Robyn Stephens of Shibang, Colleen MacIsaac of Little Foible, Anne Pryde, Roisin Fagan of Bespoke Uprising. This show I chatted Amanda Fullerton of Big Day and Hillary Webb.
The best part of the weekend was seeing a little customer hanging out with her new sock cat. Seriously, if she had been my only customer, I would have been happy. It's always nice to sell things, but it's even nicer to see someone really loving the toy you've created. She danced with him and tied him around her neck and her waist. I was in complete glee watching her and her sock cat. It was also great when people would stop by and say, "I bought one for my son/daughter/friend/etc and they love it". One woman told me that her son's monkey was named Pineapple. Awesome! Another told me that one of my favourite creatures still hangs out in her car.
I fear that the weird and nasty weather on Sunday (snow? what?) may have kept shoppers away. My leftover monkeys, a bunny, and a last minute socktopus (started Saturday night, after my nap, and finished at the show on Sunday) are headed over to Love, Me Boutique tomorrow.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Monday, April 19, 2010 0 comments
filed under: craft fair, halifax crafters, love me
Bad-ass sock monkeys
I'm loving this kia ad:
Of course, my sock monkeys were getting tattooed years ago:
I think I might have to add a few tattoos to my monkeys for the Halifax Crafters spring show.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 1 comments
filed under: halifax crafters, sock monkeys, tv
No Sleep 'til Crafters
It's the night before the Halifax Crafters Winter Market and I'm frantically trying to sew and paint and whatnot. No Sleep Til Crafters.
One of these days I'll be all ready a week in advance (ha! unlikely!). Anyway, show is tomorrow, hope to see you there!
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Friday, December 04, 2009 0 comments
Knitting Help Needed
Hey! I need a bit of help with a knitting project. Here are the deets:
Halifax Crafters want to cover a telephone pole outside of the Olympic Centre for our December Market (December 5 and 6!).
I've volunteered to cover this (pun completely intended), but that's a lot of knitting in three weeks - especially since I'm also trying to get ready for the show. So I'm looking for any knitters/crocheters who want to help cover a telephone pole - maybe even the stop sign pole if there is time. I'm looking to do something similar to the awesome folks of Knitta Please or The Ladies Fancywork Society (among many others). If the project is successful, it could be the start of other yarn graffiti around HRM (I have some other projects in mind).
What I need is a chunk of knitting or crochet (any style/any colour/any yarn - although you probably don't want to use your good stuff) as big as you feel like making it. Yarn Bombing's Universal Measurements say that I'll need 42.75" circumfrence and we'd like to see it about six feet tall. So if you or anyone you know feels like knitting, that'd be awesome. If you want in, I just need your piece by Friday, Dec. 4 (you can email me about a drop off - crafty [at] hellopineapples [dot] com). It'll be on the telephone pole first thing on the morning of Saturday, Dec.5 and you can go admire your handiwork. You can even help with the installation if you're so inclined.
If I end up with more knitting than is required to cover the telephone pole, it'll go towards another project - but that one is Top Secret and not for blogging about (not right now anyway).
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Sunday, November 08, 2009 0 comments
filed under: yarn stash
Craft in America
I had fully planned on watching America's Next Top Model tonight, but completely got sidetracked by this on PBS:
Forget crazy Tyra! Craft In America = Awesome. (Hopefully it's only on for an hour, because there is no way I'm missing Glee at 10pm).
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 0 comments
filed under: tv
Sock Monkey in Costume: Ghost Monkey
This guy is a project I've been working on for Love, Me. I don't usually do a lot of seasonal crafts, but they were socks with candy corn on them. I couldn't help myself. There's a devil monkey as well (the photo quality is the worst - bad lighting and my hand was a bit shaky):
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 0 comments
filed under: sock monkeys
Ring ring ring ring, bananaphone
Something I've been working on recently:
Bananaphone! It's how sock monkeys make phone calls.
(It's crappy photo quality because I used my camera phone)
That's the first one. There are some things I plan on changing to the design, but I'm happy with it. The yellow part is from a sheet of cheap craft felt. The buttons were needle felted on. Then I did some embroidery as I am not skilled enough with the felting to put the numbers on that way. The speaker bit at the bottom started out as felting, but that didn't work so I switched to french knots.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Monday, September 21, 2009 1 comments
filed under: embroidery, felt, plush
Craft Talk
One of my favourite crafty people sent me this video. The outfits hurt my brain, but I still love it.
So craftastic.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Monday, September 21, 2009 2 comments
filed under: crafty music
Handmade Nation
Um, how excited am I about this screening at AFF:
That's right. Handmade Nation at Park Lane on Sept. 24. I am so there. With crafts in hand. Maybe even my Sublime Stitching Handmade Nation pattern. Love, Me has plans to make it extra DIY special.
And speaking of craftiness and DIY: deadline for applications to the Crafters' December market are due on Friday. Email halifaxcrafters @ gmail.com with 'application request' in the Subject to get an application. It's December 5 & 6 at the Olympic Community Centre, which I predict will not only be huge, but awesome.
Now, I need to get to bed. It's late and I've got The Other Blog to attend to first thing in the a.m. and a boring book to finish before it becomes overdue at the library.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 0 comments
filed under: arts and crafts, craft fair, craft in film
Art Harvest recap
A few pictures from my table at the Crafters' Art Harvest. Man oh man. Do I ever suck at taking pictures of my work. I was hoping to use some for my application to the December market, but that's unlikely to happen.
It was a long weekend, but a good one. I'm really looking forward to the next one. Hopefully this time I'll get started on preparation more than a week ahead of time.
On another note, if you've ever "adopted" one of my monkeys, I'd love to hear about where they are now. Like this much loved monkey living in PEI:
You might notice that the eyes look a little weird. Here's a closeup:
That was an emergency eye surgery. The monkey originally had button eyes when sent up to my friends before their baby was born. When I saw the monkey over Labour Day weekend, the monkey was sans eyes and I was worried that stuffing would come out at some point (had holes where the buttons were). So those eyes were embroidered on...since they were covering holes, the embroidered eyes aren't exactly as neat as I'd like. I don't think they wee one who loves the monkey cares. She was just as happy when it didn't have eyes.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Sunday, September 13, 2009 0 comments
filed under: craft fair, paintings, sock monkeys
This is why I'm not good at delegating
The husband meant well and I appreciated the effort (it was late, he hates messy things like glue), but this is what happened to some of the tags for the sale:
glued together. oops. I'd be better off if I didn't leave it until the night before.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Saturday, September 12, 2009 0 comments
filed under: craft fair, craft mishaps
Crafters' Art Harvest
Hey there Crafters' visitors (and readers who've pretty much given up on this blog)! It's Crafters' time again!
I was really scrambling to be ready this time - houseguests, head colds and road trips meant I didn't get much done during the week. I think it all came together though. Not as many monkeys as I'd like, but there it is. (although, I took pictures of my table this time! I always forget my camera).
One of the things I really love about the Crafters' shows is getting to meet other crafters. Since I usually share a table with someone, it's a great chance to get a good look their work and talk to them about what they do. During the spring show, I got to meet Robyn of Shibang Designs. Her bags are fantastic.
Today I got to meet Colleen MacIsaac of Little Foible, whose cards I've long admired at Love, Me. It was really awesome to get to watch her paint and sketch while we were at the table. She has a One Minute Film that will be screened at this year's Atlantic Film Fest.
Seriously, the North Street Church is just chock-a-block full of awesome when the Crafters are there.
If you were thinking of buying a monkey, but not this weekend, you can always check out Love, Me Boutique on Birmingham St. They usually have a couple in stock. If you're thinking that you could probably just make one on your own with an old pair of socks, well, you totally can. I can also teach you. Watch the Love, Me events page for a schedule of crafty workshops this fall.
You can also contact me by email: crafty [at] hellopineapples [dot] com. If you're from out of town, we can arrange something via Etsy.
In the meantime, I will continue to be a horrible craft blogger, as I've gotten stupidly busy with the Other Blog (Fashionable People, Questionable Things) and I'll be writing for You Know You Love Fashion (which launches on Monday!) during season three of Gossip Girl. YKYLF is all about the fashion on Gossip Girl (the good, the bad, and the downright ugly - I'm looking at you Vanessa).
Now, I need to eat my dinner before my cat steals it. Hope to see you at the North Street Church tomorrow!
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Saturday, September 12, 2009 0 comments
filed under: awesome crafters, craft fair, love me
Jenny Hart is Awesome
Canada Day and the Fourth of July are both around the corner, so hooray for Jenny of Sublime Stitching for sharing this free pattern. You should follow Sublime Stitching on Twitter and/or Facebook so you're in the know when Jenny has something new to share.
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some stitchin' to do.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Friday, June 26, 2009 1 comments
filed under: awesome crafters, embroidery, free pattern friday
Crafters & internet finds
I went to my first Halifax Crafters organizing meeting yesterday. The ball is getting rolling for both the September and December shows. Very exciting. I've got a floor of little canvases that I'm painting. They'll probably be in the September show. I've also had some ideas for monkey accessories, but those will stay under my hat for the time being.
So, two internet things to share today. For starters, on topic with Crafters, I thought I'd share the website of Shibang designs. Roby/Shibang shared a table with me at the spring show & I found myself admiring her bags and pouches. She makes some really lovely stuff. Check it out:
That's one of her pencil cases, which are available in her etsy store.
Off topic from the Halifax Crafters is this inspiring internet find:
What? Seriously? Yes, seriously. That is a fabric "cootie catcher" & all the letters/numbers/fortunes are embroidered. How much awesome is that? It's made by the very talented Penny Nickels. I believe she sells it on her etsy site.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Monday, June 15, 2009 1 comments
filed under: craft fair
Things I found on the internet today
Sifting through Craftzine in my feed reader, I found a few things that I want to make, that are pretty and that are inspiring.
To Make:
Cupcake Cones
YoYo Blanket (I'm hoping it'll crochet up faster than the knit baby blanket I like to make for new babies...who end up getting them when they're closer to the age of 2):
Pretty/I'd like to make it (but let's face it, I probably won't...too many crafts on my plate to really start quilting. I do admire quilts/quilters though):
Sparks Baby Quilt by Alissa
It's pretty adorable, non? I like the off-centeredness of the squares. Gives it a touch of whimsy, which is a nice touch for a baby's quilt. I found this via a list of free quilt patterns collected by WhipUp.
And last - but not least:
Inspiring:
Embroidered note by katie.cupcake:
I'm still heavy on the embroidery these days. I'm working on another baby shower quilt - still early days of embroidering the squares. This note is just fantastic. It's one of those things that when you see it, you think: oh man! why didn't I think of that! And it's a total mix of jealousy and admiration (more parts admiration than jealousy).
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 0 comments
filed under: free pattern friday, inspiration, roundup
Free travel advice and pretty downloads
I'm making an attempt to blog again and it's not always easy. It's funny. I suck at posting on this blog, yet I'm managing daily posts over at my other one. Probably helps that I have a partner in crime over at Fashionable People.
I recently travelled to Palm Springs for my yearly dose of sunshine and as always, I struggled to figure out what crafty items are allowed on the plane. It really isn't clear and seems to change with each airport. And when you try to search for tips/tricks on travel & crafts, you get more info and advice than you know what to do with. Which is why I was happy to find Craftzine's advice/interpretation of TSA regulations for crafters. Although, keep in mind that the TSA regulations aren't universal (here is a list by CATSA for when you're travelling in Canadian airports. Knitting needles fall under "Penetrating Objects" and are allowed.). Last year, scissors I was allowed to bring on the plane at LAX were confiscated by YYZ (Toronto) security. This year I didn't have problems, but I also didn't attempt to bring scissors on the plane. I pre-cut embroidery floss to save myself the headache. Although I did get some security hangups from my pencil case. For some reason it showed up as suspicious on their Xray machines. Once they took it out and dug through it, they determined there was nothing of interest (unless of course you are interested in my Stabilo markers and other pens). I packed the pencil case in my checked bags on the way home.
Moving along...I recently found a site that offers links to free downloads of pretty labels and fonts:
The site is iDIY and is all about DIY weddings. While I'm not planning any weddings (I'm about to hit the five year anniversary mark!), I'm still a sucker for pretty labels and fonts. I think the labels are the part of me that wants to organize things. I don't always succeed in organizing my space, particularly my disasterous office/craft room, but a girl can dream. I rarely do anything with the labels I download, but part of that comes from having a B&W laser that doesn't do the label designs justice (but is awesome for printing out reams of essays and academic journal articles).
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Sunday, June 07, 2009 1 comments
filed under: crafting while traveling, free downloads
i heart pineapples
As you might be able to guess from the name of the blog/my sock monkey business, most pineappley things make me happy. Some awesome pineappley things I have found online:
as always, natalie dee:
nataliedee.com
good afternoon pineapples (a most excellent advertisement):
more natalie dee!
nataliedee.com
that's it for today. Nothing particularly crafty, I know, but I've been meaning to share this. Also, I haven't been particularly crafty lately. But I'm sure that will soon change.
(If you're getting this in a reader, I'm sorry if it was posted a zillion times over. Blogger is being dumb.)
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Monday, June 01, 2009 0 comments
filed under: not a craft, pineapples
To Boldly Go Where No Monkey Has Gone Before...
While visiting Palm Springs recently, my mom & I went to see Star Trek. Which was awesome! For both the classic Star Trek fan (mom) & non-fan (me - I havent' seen a full episode of any generation of Star Trek). I mention going to see the movie because of this guy:
The Spock Monkey (not Zach Quinto) is currently on Etsy and his creator has a couple of other comic/action hero geektastic monkeys available in her store The Sock Drawer. But you may want to hurry over...she doesn't have that many Spock Monkeys in stock. I like that she has kits available with instructions, patterns, and materials. Nice idea. I may have to try my hand at making one of these for my mom, seeing as she is a fan.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 0 comments
filed under: craft in film, etsy, found crafts, sock monkeys
What I did on my spring vacation
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was set up at the Halifax Crafters sale. It went fairly well - not as well as the Christmas sale, but that is to be expected. I really love being at the Crafters sales as I find all the other artists/artisans to be so inspiring. I need to come up with a better display for the September sale. Not exactly sure what I'll do, but I'll come up with something.
My favourite guy at the sale (and sadly, I only had my camera phone with me) was this dude:
His name is Reginald and he wore a tutu. I really need to get better at taking pics of my work. But the tutu was an afterthought, so I didn't think to actually get a photo because I was focused on the sale itself. Anyway, Reginald was the first pair I attempted to sew on my machine. I screwed that up in so many ways, I just couldn't manage to make a monkey out of him. But I still had this body and other appendiges that were so goofy, I couldn't just abandon him. So I played around one day and came up with Reginald. I'm going to keep messing around with other sock/plush creatures and monkey accessories (like tutus). Need to keep things fresh.
Something new I'm trying is embroidering eyes on the monkey and then sewing the buttons on top of that. My reason for doing this is that I prefer monkeys with button eyes, but customers with wee ones like embroidered eyes (for the safety of their own little monkies). So this is what I've come up with:
Right after the fair, I headed off to the Palm Springs area to visit with my parents. My mom and I spent some time working on monkeys. My mom is my source for awesome socks. Check out the collection she has for me:
Those are just some of the 75+ pairs of socks. Her cat Deano was a fan of our craft time:
I succumed to a nasty flu on my return, but now that I'm getting better, I'm getting back to thinking about crafts and monkeys. Right now I'm working on one of the red monkeys that the cat is sleeping on. A baby shower is coming up. The red & black monkeys, believe it or not, are a hit with babies. Most people like to buy the more pastel-ish monkies for babies, but the wee ones love the bright contrasting colours. A friend's kid would just stare at hers for ages. And at two months old, that was as much of a sign that she liked the monkey as you could ask for.
Some of the leftover monkeys joined their friends at Love, Me Boutique on Saturday. I still have a few hanging around the house and may look into putting them on etsy in the near future.
Posted byHello Pineapples! on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 0 comments
filed under: cats, crafting while traveling, sock creatures, sock monkeys
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